AT LEAST nine sex offenders monitored under new "gold standard" procedures have gone on to commit violent or sexual crimes, it has been revealed.
In April last year, police forces, social work departments and prisons were required to operate new arrangements to manage dangerous offenders in the community, amid growing concern about convicted paedophiles and rapists targeting victims after th
ey are released from jail.
The so-called Mappa – multi-agency public protection arrangement – rules had already been introduced in England and Wales, where experts believe they have successfully reduced the likelihood of sex offenders reoffending.
Yesterday, the findings of the first year of Mappa in Scotland were published, and revealed that the vast majority of Scotland's 3,000-plus registered sex offenders were complying with requirements to register their address and attend monitoring meetings with police and social workers.
However, 183 people were reported to the authorities for breaching the terms of the sex offenders register. Sixty-three were returned to custody as a result, while nine offenders in the police's most serious risk categories were convicted of a further serious sexual or violent offence.
Police would not disclose details about the nine reoffenders but they were among the 979 worst offenders in Scottish communities supervised at the highest levels by police and other agencies. Police also failed to disclose how many so-called "level one" sex offenders – the 2,300 who are deemed to require monitoring by only one agency – went on to commit serious crimes.
Detective Superintendent Willie Manson, who co-ordinated the scheme, said the first year indicated success. "It's worth pointing out that any serious or violent sexual offence is of great concern. But we need to look at this figure in the context of 979 offenders being managed at these levels.
"This number is unlikely to ever be zero but Mappa gives us an effective structure to allow all the responsible authorities to work together to share information and agree risk management plans that minimise that risk."
He added: "I believe we've made considerable progress in the management of the risks posed by some members of the community."
The Mappa reports showed there were 3,131 registered sex offenders on 31 March, one year after the new system began.
Deputy Chief Constable Bill Skelly, of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said there were two known offenders currently wanted by authorities and 19 who had left the country.
Welcoming the area reports, he said: "When we're talking about risk and the protection of the public, it's one that can be considered a success."
However, Labour's justice spokesman, Richard Baker, cautioned the police against complacency. "With over 180 breaches and nine examples of very serious reoffending, this is by no means a success. It's concerning that at Peterhead Prison many sex offenders are leaving the jail without any treatment.
"More needs to be done both in prison and in the community," he added.
John Lamont, Conservative community safety spokesman, said: "The simple fact is that if someone remains a risk, they cannot be released."
Fife recorded the highest number of sex offenders per head of population, at 80 out of every 100,000 people.
Last month, Sean McKay, from Edinburgh, was jailed for nine years after holding a woman hostage in his flat and repeatedly raping her. McKay was a serial sex offender who had been subject to Mappa monitoring at the time of the attack.
FACT BOX
UNDER the new Mappa rules, convicted sex offenders are divided into three broad categories.About 2,300 offenders are classed as "level one" cases. These are people who are deemed to be a low-risk of re-offending and require monitoring by one agency alone.
This could, for example, mean they have to report to social workers every month, without ever having to deal with the police.
Almost 1,000 offenders are classed as "level two" – they require supervision by at least two agencies, and usually pose a greater threat of reoffending.
They will probably receive regular visits by social workers, and, to protect young families, housing officials may be consulted if they want to move home.
The smallest group, but by far the most dangerous sex offenders, are in "level three".
These so-called "critical few" – they number about 60 – require the closest, most comprehensive supervision of all. This might include including regular visits by police and social workers, the tracking of vehicles by number plate-recognising cameras, living in approved accommodation and being banned from approaching children.
